Saburomaru Distillery, likely the only that puts its customers through a quiz on their whisky knowledge before allowing them to purchase, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a special limited release of its Saburomaru II High Priestess expression, aged in new Spanish Oak Butts.

"In July 1952, Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery obtained a whiskey production license. It started with the challenge of new distilled spirits by my great-grandfather Kotaro Inagaki in the tight situation of rice shortage after the war. 

Since its founding, we have been particular about smoky whiskey using peat, and this time we were able to celebrate the 70th anniversary. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of you for your support over the years. 

This whiskey was specially bottled as a single cask in new Spanish oak barrels to mark its 70th anniversary. Deep ruby ​​reddish amber color, rich and fragrant with a long smoky finish."

- Takahiko Inagaki, Saburomaru Distillery Master Distiller 

The special edition sees the 3 year old Saburomaru whisky (Cask #190132) aged in new Spanish Oak Butts, distilled in 2019 and bottled in 2023, with a total outturbn of 594 bottles, and bottled at 59% ABV. It makes use of a mix of ale and whisky yeasts and heavily peated 50 PPM malted barley.

It is available from Saburomaru Distillery for 24,200 Yen (or US$176.70) at this link. Each purchase comes with a ZEMON still pin.

Lead image courtesy of Saburomaru.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team